Duane "Barney" H. Schultz

Duane “Barney” H. Schultz, 81, of Ainsworth, passed from this life on Saturday, November 11, 2023, at his home in Ainsworth with his family by his side. A funeral service will be held Friday, November 17, 2023, at 10:00 AM at the Beatty Funeral Home in Washington. Burial with full military honors will follow at Oregon Township Cemetery in Ainsworth. Visitation will be held Thursday, November 16, 2023, from 1 – 7 PM at the Beatty Funeral Home in Washington, where the family will greet friends from 3 – 7 PM. A memorial fund has been established for Ainsworth QRS and Hospice of Washington County.

Duane “Barney” H. Schultz was born December 18, 1941, in Oskaloosa, Iowa, the son of Howard and Ethyle (Wilson) Schultz. He graduated from Ainsworth High School. In 1963 he enlisted in the United States Army and served until 1969. On January 30, 1966, he was united in marriage to Rita Wade in Washington. Barney was a mechanic, beginning his career at Everett DX in Ainsworth, and working at various other auto repair shops until owning and operating Barney’s Auto Ainsworth. In later years he worked at the University of Iowa. Barney served the Ainsworth community in numerous ways, including as Ainsworth Marshall, city maintenance operator, city water treatment operator, and served as fire chief for 48 years. Along with his brother George, he established the Ainsworth QRS. He was a NASCAR fan and worked on race cars and was pit crew chief for Alan Jones. Barney enjoyed attending his grandkid’s sporting events, fishing, shopping and was the self-proclaimed golf cart marshall of Ainsworth.

Survivors include two daughters: Traci (Kevin) Vonnahme of Ainsworth, Robin (Tim) Kiefer of Crawfordsville; six grandchildren: Roman, Cleo and Layne, Taylor (Tyler),  Tanner and Kaige; two great-grandchildren:  Rylon and Parklynn, his brother George (Judy) Schultz and sister-in-law Sally Schultz.

Preceding Barney in death were his parents, his wife Rita on December 25, 2022, three brothers: Ronnie, Steve and Howard and one sister, Sharon Gillis.